U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois is expected to attend a private fundraiser for his presidential campaign on Aug. 12 at the Halekulani Hotel, several sources said.

Obama is expected to be in the Islands for about a week for a vacation and local organizers are also hoping for a public rally, possibly at Magic Island.

Andy Winer, Obama's state director, said yesterday he could not confirm the visit or the details about the fundraiser or rally but said the campaign may make an announcement this week.

The fundraiser is being co-chaired by Mayor Mufi Hannemann and corporate executive and prominent Democratic financier Walter Dods. Donors are being asked to contribute $2,300 per person, sources said, and can attend a reception with the Hawai'i-born candidate for $10,000.

The fundraising goal is $500,000 but some believe it may go higher given the initial interest from donors. One of the organizers described the response as "astounding."

"I've been around this kind of stuff for 40 years (and) never in my life have I seen anything like this," the organizer said. "Not only enthusiasm, just straight out commitments."

Hawai'i, although it has its share of wealthy donors, is not typically a big fundraising state for presidential campaigns. But Obama, who graduated from Punahou School and whose sister and grandmother live here, has raised more than $1.1 million in the Islands.

Obama usually visits his family around the Christmas holidays but has not returned since December 2006 because of his campaign schedule. He has campaigned in every state except Hawai'i and Alaska.

Willes Lee, the state GOP chairman, said there are no immediate plans for U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican nominee, to visit the Islands.

"We are glad to see any presidential candidate come to our state and campaign," Lee said. "I hope that Barack Obama can convince the local Democrats that our Legislature locally needs changing just as he's espoused nationally."

Many of Obama's local supporters are hoping for a public rally — penciled in at Magic Island — so Obama can greet people who cannot afford the private fundraiser.

"Hawai'i worked very hard to help him get the nomination," said Jacce Mikulanec, an Obama supporter and staffer for state Rep. Blake Oshiro, D-33rd ('Aiea, Halawa Valley, 'Aiea Heights). "I think there is going to be an outpouring of support that we haven't seen here before."

Justin Woodson, an Obama supporter and Realtor who lives in Mo'ili'ili, also would like Obama to do at least one public event. He said an Obama homecoming would probably generate tremendous public and news media interest.

"It would be good for the spirit here," he said. "He is a son of Hawai'i and a lot of his policies reflect Hawai'i."

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader, an independent candidate for president, and U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, who lost in the Democratic primary, are the only candidates to visit Hawai'i so far this election cycle.

The last major party presidential nominee to visit the Islands during a presidential campaign was Richard Nixon in 1960.